Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2002, 196 (1)

Review

Paradigm Shift in Zinc: Metal Pathology

SATOMI ONOSAKA, NORIKO TETSUCHIKAWAHARA and KYON-SON MIN

Department of Public Health, Faculty of Nutrition, Kobe Gakuin University, Kobe 651-2180

Zinc (Zn) is an essential, common metal in animal tissues. Zn levels were elevated in only four tissues after Zn administration, the highest increase being in the pancreas. Zn concentration was increased by metallothionein induction. Metallothionein-bound Zn significantly reduced the toxicity of the metals Cd, Cu and Hg. It should be noted that tissue Zn levels are different in experimental animals and humans. Acute pancreatitis was observed following the injection of a large dose of Zn. Different metals have different target organs. Using metal pathology, treatments may be developed to save patients suffering from hepatic and renal diseases because Zn is used to a model animal of hepatic or renal disease.

Keywords —— zinc; pancreas; metallothionein; lethal organ; metal pathology

© 2002 Tohoku University Medical Press

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Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2002, 196, 1-7

Address for reprints: Satomi Onosaka, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Nutrition, Kobe Gakuin University, 518 Arise, Ikawayadani-cho, Nishi-ku, Kobe 651-2180, Japan.

e-mail: onosaka@nutr.kobegakuin.ac.jp

This paper was presented at the Sendai Symposium: Paradigm Shift in Heavy Metal Toxicology held on November 21-22, 2001.